1945–1970

Case Study was metric, its width and depths Had Powell and Moya’s original compromised the clean lines and In the groove – Putney’s 5m diving were still in Imperial measures.) design been left intact, the Putney almost ethereal transparency of board sits neatly under the apex Also of interest is the ceiling of Leisure Centre, as it is now called, Powell and Moya’s original design, of the one of the roof’s V beams. Putney Pool and Dryburgh Halls, Wandsworth the pool hall, formed by a series may well have been listed. But both from within and without, and One 3m and two 1m springboards of reinforced concrete V beams. in the 1980s the corner of the meant the sacrifi ce of a courtyard complete the set. To shed extra Not only do they look fi ne, as they L-shaped pool hall was infi lled by and several trees, around which natural light but without creating appear to fl oat above the glazed a clumsy, glazed extension which the whole composition of fi ve glare, the V beam on the far right infi lls above the side walls, but houses a jacuzzi at pool level and a blocks was centred. is glazed on its outer edge, so that they conceal within them various fi tness suite above. A second courtyard and a roof the roof appears to fl oat. Before lighting and ventilation services No doubt the extra facilities terrace have been similarly covered the 1980s infi ll on the left, glazed that can be easily serviced from the are much appreciated. But the by other extensions over the screens looked out onto the garden fl at roof above. extension has undoubtedly teaching pool and entrance block. beyond.

Opened March 1968 Address Dryburgh Rd, SW15 1BL Architect Powell and Moya Cost £535,000 Pools main: L shaped 33.3m x 42’ plus diving bay 42’ 6” x 34’ 6”; teaching pool 42’ x 24’ Owner Wandsworth Borough Council Operator DC Leisure Listed unlisted

ow here is a rare treat; a 1960s Entry is from Dryburgh Road, is that of the main pool, also at N pool designed by one of the which, because of its slope, brings ground fl oor level but with a fi rst great architectural partnerships of visitors onto the fi rst fl oor of the fl oor gallery running along two the post war era, Powell and Moya complex. From here, to the left a sides, one of which has its original (who were responsible for the corridor leads to a function suite laminated seats for 368 spectators. famed Skylon at the 1951 Festival and meeting rooms, known as As can be seen opposite, the of Britain), and, moreover, one of Dryburgh Halls, raised on stilts pool itself is L-shaped, thought the few pools in London still to above the car park (above left). to have been the fi rst of several of have its diving boards in use. A second block to the left this type built during the 1960s. Located within a residential area contains a teaching pool at ground Cheaper to construct and operate and set back from Richmond Road level, while at the rear of the site than a separate diving pool (as by a sunken car park and garden is another block for the plant and existed at Crystal Palace), such an in front (above) – so as to preserve boilers, backing onto a railway line arrangement made it possible for a number of mature plane trees linking Clapham Junction with diving to take place while the main on the site – Powell and Moya’s Richmond. (Pools on the Park, see 33.3m axis of the pool was in use. original design consisted of fi ve page 242, is three miles westwards.) (Note that such was the British linked, mainly white rendered But the largest and most ambivalence towards metrication concrete and glazed blocks. interesting of the blocks at Putney that although the pool’s length

246 Great Lengths Great Lengths 247

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